Millions on the Brink of Famine as Sudan’s Conflict Enters Fourth Month

What began as a power struggle in Sudan has now spiraled into a devastating war, plunging the nation into its fourth month of conflict.

The toll has been staggering, with an estimated 4,000 lives lost so far, as reported by Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office.

Each passing day sees more destruction, as both sides commit human rights violations and civilians bear the brunt of the violence.

Hospitals have not been spared, with around 200 healthcare facilities across the country forced to close due to the ongoing armed conflict, according to the health ministry’s statement on August 13.

The humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict is dire. Communities are suffering due to lack of access to medical treatment, exemplified by the tragic story of a mother and daughter injured by a bomb that hit a hospital adjacent building.

Sudanese women who fled the conflict in Geneina in Sudan’s Darfur region, line up to receive rice portions from Red Cross volunteers in Ourang on the outskirts of Adre, Chad July 25, 2023. Reuters

Despite efforts to find medical help through social media, the mother succumbed to her injuries due to the closure of hospitals.

Sudan’s conflict, which erupted on April 15, has led to not only loss of life but also arbitrary killings and widespread sexual abuse, as warned by the United Nations.

The violence has taken on an ethnic dimension in the Darfur region, with Arab militias targeting African communities.

The international community has raised alarm about the looming famine, with over six million Sudanese people teetering on the edge of starvation.

More than 14 million children require urgent humanitarian assistance, and four million people have fled their homes, either within the country or as refugees in neighboring nations.

Global humanitarian leaders have appealed for peace, accountability, and increased funds to address this crisis.

However, the UN has received only a quarter of the requested $2.57 billion to aid those within Sudan, and just 31 percent of the $566 million needed for refugees in neighboring countries.

As the conflict persists, the food scarcity crisis deepens, leaving over 20 million people in severe acute hunger.

Disease outbreaks, including malaria, dengue fever, and cholera, now pose a growing threat to a nation already grappling with violence and displacement.

Despite the urgency, aid deliveries to remote areas like South Darfur have become increasingly challenging due to heightened violence. The situation is reaching a breaking point, urging global leaders to take decisive action to alleviate the suffering of Sudan’s people.